Events are being planned in New York, England and throughout the world to mark the milestone.

In Lennon's hometown of Liverpool, England, the Peace Monument will be unveiled on his birthday.

In New York, fans will gather, as they do each year on his birthday and on the anniversary of his death, at Strawberry Fields to sing and remember Lennon. The 2.5-acre memorial is in New York's Central Park, across the street from the Dakota, the building where Lennon before his death, in 1980.

During the evening, there will be a free Central Park screening of "LENNONYC," a new film by Michael Epstein with concert footage and home movies documenting Lennon's life in New York after the breakup of the Beatles. The film will air nationally on PBS as part of the American Masters series on Nov. 22.

On the Internet, Google has altered their "Google Doodle" marquee with an image stylized in his likeness. Clicking on the image plays a short clip.

This year is a big one for Beatles fans: It's been 50 years since the band was formed, 40 years since they split up, 70 years since Lennon was born and 30 years since he was assassinated.